Define "interconnecting node."?

Hi all, I feel silly asking this question but I just can't seem to find an answer. I've been reading the SOAS 6.15 technical documentation and I can't seem to find a good definition for the phrase "interconnecting node". Could you someone provide a layman's explanation of what Ciena means by the phrase "interconnecting node"?

But basically, an 'interconnecting node' is simply the wire, which could be a; straight connection end-to-end; an AGG (either CNL or INL using some other terms) which is a 'trunk' in Cisco terms. These can be 1x1 agg or aggregated up to 4 ports for a 4x1gig or a 4x10gig connection.

Hey Austin, do you have any follow questions for Fred or information on where you found the term "interconnecting node" in documentation to help add context? When you have a moment, please let us know.

In context of ERPS or G.8032, an interconnecting node (or interconnection node) is the node in your major ring, where your sub-ring legs are getting terminated. Similarly, true for further sub-ring and sub-sub-rings as well. So, this node would be part of both major ring and sub-ring configuration. Sub-ring has its own RAPS channel and its messages would terminate on interconnection nodes. So, these nodes play a special role in overall layered network operation. Following picture should make clear the concept of interconnection nodes.

If you have any specific query about operation of layered G.8032 network and related functionality of Interconnection nodes, please feel free to post.